Today is the last day of my three weeks
visit to Eritrea. I spend the day to visit friends and the family of my
wife. To say goodbye and to collect the many letters and small bags with
berbere, shiro, ko' olo and other small gifts. I buy the last souvenirs
for Mebrat and myself (mainly araki) and collect the return cargo in the tailors
shop and the grain market.

Starting from 16:00 there will be a feast
in the house of Zewdi and Gebrehiwot, to celebrate Miriam's first birthday.
The first birthday of a baby is celebrated as a very special event in
Eritrea. Selam, Luwam and Gabriela started their preparations some days
ago, buying all kinds of materials to make the confetti themselves, and arranging
banners and a birthday cake.

I make sure my bags are packed, locked and
labeled, and all forms for check-in and customs
procedures at Asmara International Airport are available. Ticket, passport,
20 dollars for the airport tax, currency declaration form and exchange
receipts, and the passengers declaration form for electronic devices (an
immigration card should be filled in at the airport) .

The late afternoon and the evening we enjoy
the company of family and friends. The living room is decorated with
banners and balloons. There is a wide selection of both traditional food,
rice and pasta. And of course there is a birthday cake, made for the
occasion, decorated with text "Happy Birthday Miriam Mengis - 1st
Year" and one candle.